Uttar Pradesh, India
In India's Uttar Pradesh, people of Bahraich district are allegedly facing a wild horror: man-eater wolves. According to reports, already 34 people have been injured in the alleged wolf attacks.
Dr Ashish Verma, Superintendent of the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Mahasi on Tuesday (Sep 3) reported that while all victims have received treatment, two were referred to the District Hospital in Bahraich, where their conditions are stable.
Operation to capture man-eater wolves underway
The Uttar Pradesh Police and Forest Department have launched 'Operation Bhediya' to capture the wolves responsible for the attacks. Four wolves have already been captured, but two more are still at large, causing widespread fear and frustration among residents.
The search for the remaining wolves involves sophisticated methods, including the use of drones. Sanjay Pathak, General Manager of the Forest Department, noted that drones are being employed to monitor potential areas, though progress has been slow.
According to the District Forrest Officer (DFO) Bahraich Ajit Pratap Singh, thermal drones used to track the wolves' movements have faced challenges in low-light conditions, complicating the capture efforts.
The DFO questioned the earlier assumptions about the number of wolves involved. He suggested that there might be a possibility of a third wolf, which is why four thermal drones have been deployed to aid the search.
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Amid widespread panic, people turn to god
The situation has prompted dramatic responses from the community. In Pandohiya village, residents have taken to reciting the Sunderkand Path, a religious ritual intended to provide protection and relief from the terror of the wolf attacks.
Villagers, including those who have suffered from the attacks, are turning to religious practices amid the perceived inadequacy of the administration's response.
Priests and locals gather at the village temple, holding religious texts and mobile phones as they recite prayers in hopes of deterring the wolves.
Talking to ANI news agency, the priest of the temple expressed frustration with the authorities, stating, "We are reciting the Sunderkand Path because we are frightened from the attacks of the wild animals, specially wolves."
"We are frightened. We have to stay awake up in the night in fear. There is no electricity in our village. That's why we have turned up to Bajrangbali to save ourselves. The administration and the forest department team comes after the attack and then go back empty-handed. Bajrangbali is Mahaveer, that's why we came here."
The recent attacks have heightened local anger, particularly following incidents where a three-year-old girl was killed and two women injured. Another child, a five-year-old girl was attacked on Monday (Sep 2) while sleeping next to her grandmother at her home.
(With inputs from agencies)